Tracking mechanism cutter for portable or studio recording



June 3, 1941. J. STASZKIEWIECZ TRACKING MEGHANISM'CUTTER FOR PORTABLE OR STUDIO RECORDING Filed Sept. 14, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 1 lNV-ENTQR "Jbaepk J'taalnemecz BY ATTORNEY June 3, 1941; J. STASZKIEWl ECZ 2,244,506

TRACKING MECHANISM CUTTER FOR PORTABLE 0R S'NJDIO RECORDING Filed Sept. 14, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 INVE| 1TOB 6 loaepkSidszkwcqaecz.

June 3, 1941. J. STASZKIEWIECZ 2,244,506

TRACKING MECHANISM CUTTE R FOR PORTABLE 0R STUDIO RECORDING Patented ..time 3,, i941 UEITE T Joseph Staszlnlewiecz, ihrooklyn, N. Y.

Application September M, 1940, Serial No. 356,779

(cl. ail-1) 12 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a tracking mechanism cutter for portable or studio recording machine with belt drive.

The invention proposes the construction of the device as mentioned which is characterized by a bracket vertically adjusta bly mounted on the outerend of a slidably supported horizontal arm of the tracking mechanism, and a cutting head supported upon the bracket in a certain manner.

More specifically the invention proposes resilient means acting between said bracket and cutting head support for resiliently supporting the same, in a novel way cooperative between the support and bracket for holding the support in an inoperative position when this is desired.

Still further the invention proposes the construction of a tracking mechanism cutter for portable or studio recording which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of the tracking mechanism cutter disclosing the slidably supported horizontal arm and the cutting head support mounted thereon in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken On the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. l is a fragmentary side elevational view of Fig. 8 i a fragmentary perspective view of certain parts contained in the means for supporting the cutting head support.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the cutting head support, per se.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view Fig. 12 1s a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line Ill-l2 of Fig. 11.

The tracking mechanism cutter for portable and studio recording in accordance with this invention includes a slidably supported horizontal arm l5 and means for moving said arm across a turntable it, see Fig. 11, for supporting a record. The arm i5 is slidably mounted on a pair of parallel rods H and it which are fixedly mounted in end brackets 19. These end brackets also support a screw which is rotatively mounted and which is provided with a pulley 21 by which the screw may be driven. At one end, the screw 20 is provided with a blank section 20*, that is, a section devoid of threads. When the arm is superimposed on this blank section, the arm will be in an inoperative position as will be hereinafter more fully described. The screw 20 is arranged parallel to the rods ll and i8.

A follower mechanism is mounted upon the horizontal arm it and is cooperative with the screw 20 for moving the horizontal arm in one direction. This follower includes a lever 22 pivarm iii. A knob 25 is mounted upon the top end of the lever 22 by which the lever may be moved. The bottom portion of the lever 22 has a semicircular hook portion 26 formed with threads adapted to mesh with the threads of the screw 20. A spring 27 is connected between the bottom end of the lever 22 and a bottom portion of the arm l5 and normally resiliently urges the hook portion 26 against the screw 20 so as to engage the threads. The arrangement is such that when the screw 20 is turned the engagement of the hook portion 26 therewith causes the arm to slide along the rods H and it.

The arm 55 is provided with a handle 28 which is mounted on a portion thereof so that the arm may be conveniently gripped to facilitate its manual sliding upon the rods ll and i8 when the cover plate is removed. Of course the knob 25 must be moved to disengage the hook portion 26 before this sliding .is possible. A bracket 30 is vertically adjustably mounted upon the outer end of the arm l5. This bracket has side posts 30 which engage complementary recesses 3i formed in the arm l5 to guide the vertical sliding of the bracket. The bracket has a head portion 32 mounted across the posts 36 A tube 33 is turnably mounted upon this head portion. This rotative connection is formed by forming a bore 34 in the bottom face of the head portion 32 into which the upper end of the tube-33 engages. This end of the tube is closed.

A knob 35 is disposed upon the top of the head portion 32 and has a threaded stem 36 which threadedly engages the closed top end of the tube 33 and may be fixedly placed thereon. The knob 35 also has a flange 31 engaging the top edge of a complementary supporting flange 38 formed on the head portion 32 immediately adjacent the bore 34. The threaded stem 36 extends axially of the tube 33. The threaded stem 36 normally threadedly-engages a cylindrical boss 39 which projects upwards from the top face of the arm I5.

' A circular groove 40 is disposed about the boss 39 and. extends downwards from the top face of the arm I5 and is adapted to receive the bottom portion of the tube 33 as illustrated in Fig. 6-. The knob 35 may be turned for adjusting the bracket 30 to various vertical positions.

At the bottom, the bracket 30 has a pair of forwardly extended lug portions 4|. A cutting head support 42 is located to the front of the bracket 30 and has a pair of rearwardly extending lug portions 43 which straddle the lug portion 4|. A tubular portion 44, see Fig. 6, is fixedly mounted between the lug portions 4|; A pintle 45 engages through the tubular portion 44 and through the lug portions 4| and through the lug portions 43 for pivotally mounting the cutting head support upon the bracket 30. A spring 46 is connected between a projecting lug 41 formed on the head part 32 of the bracket 30, and the top portion of the cutting head support 42. This spring serves to resiliently support the cutting head support so that it is free to move slightly upwards and downwards under a resilient force.

When the knob 35 is turned for raising or lowering the bracket 30, the top end of the spring 46' will be correspondingly moved, which will cause a change of position of the cutting head support 42. It is thus possible to so vary the position of the cutting head support that the cutting head which is mounted thereon properly engages the record being cut. The usual type of electric cutting head 50 is mounted upon the cuttinghead support 42. This cutting head has the usual crystal cutter 5|. The details of this cutting head will not be given in this specification since it forms no part of the invention. This cutting head is intended to be operated by the usual amplifier. I

. Means is provided cooperative between the support 42 and the bracket 36 for holding the support 42 in an inoperative position when desired. This means includes a slide 52 laterally slidably mounted upon the cutting head support 42. This slide 52 has 'a horizontal slot 53 through which a screw 54 passes. threadedly mounted on the cutting head support 42. The slide 52 also is provided with an upwardly extending central portion 52 which is located between a pair of spaced screws 55 and 56 mounted upon the cutting head support 42. These spaced screws act as stops, striking against the projecting portion 52 when the slide 52 is moved laterally limiting the possible motion of the slide. The slide 52 is provided with a pair of end lugs 51 which extend rearwards and are The screw 54 is located along the edge portion of the cutting head support 42. These lugs 51 are provided with knurled heads 58 by which the slide 52 may be conveniently gripped and moved.

A keeper 66 is fixedly mounted on the slide 52 preferably by welding, soldering or the like. This keeper 66 has an opening 6| through which the screw 54 passes. The keeper 60 has a rearwardly horizontally projecting-portion 66 formed with a pair of hooks 62 directed towards each other. There is an open space 63 between these hooks. A headed element 64 is mounted upon the tubular portion 44 and is cooperative with the hooks 62 for latching the cutting head support 46 in a raised position. This may be clearly understood by examining Figs. 5 and 6 and noting that the hooks 62 do not engage the headed element 64. In this condition of the device the cutting head support is free, and is merely supported by the spring 46.

When desired, the cutting head support may be rendered inoperative by pivoting it upwards about the pintle 45' so that the headed element 64 passes through the open space 63. Then the slide 52 may be shifted laterally in one direction or the other by engaging ones fingers on the knurled heads 58 and pressing. This causes one or the other of the hooks 62 to engage the headed element 64. Thus the cutting head support is now held in its raised position.

The brackets I!) are provided with forwardly projecting lug portion l9 by which they are attached to a support plate 65. This support plate may comprise the top wan of a. cabinet, or other type of support. The turn table it is rotatively mounted on the support 65. More specifically the turn table l6 has an axial stem 66 which extends downwards and which engages axially into a socket shaft 61. A key 68' connects the stem 66 and the socket shaft 61 together for rotation. This key is mounted on the stem 56 and engages a key opening in the top end of the socket shaft 67 so that the turn table l6 may be lifted upwards and outwards when desired. The socket'shaft 61 extends into a bearing housing 66 which is supported on the support 65. The socket shaft 6'! has a flange portion 59' intermediate of its ends engaging a circular recess formed in the top of the bearing housing 58 which assists in rotatively supporting the socket shaft.

A ball bearing 10 is located within the bearing housing 68 and is supported on the bottom thereof, and engages the bottom of the socket shaft 61 for assisting in rotatively supporting the socket shaft. .The usual ball bearing cage engages the ball bearing 10 and the bearing housing and serves to hold the ball bearing in position. A cover plate 12 for the recording mechanism is disposed immediately beneath the turn table Hi. This cover plate is formed with an opening 13 through'which the hub portion of the turn table |6 extends. This cover plate is also provided with an opening 14 through which the arm l5 passes. A fly wheel 15 is mounted upon the top portion of the socket shaft 61. This fly wheel has a peripheral portion 15 formed with a number of grooves 16 for receiving driving I belts.

pulleys normally are freely mounted upon the shaft 18. A clutch is provided by which one or the other of these pulleys may be connected aaegsoc with the shaft. This clutch includes a pair of discs 8!, 82, which are keyed upon the shaft 78 and are adapted to slide thereon. These discs have a plurality of projecting pins 83 adapted to engage in receiving openings formed in the outer faces of the pulleys. The discs 8i and 82 are connected together for unitary movements by a pair of fork members 84. The fork ends of these members engage peripheral grooves 85 formed upon the discs 8! and 82.

The fork members 88 are pivotally mounted intermediate of their ends by pintles 86 supported device includes a bolt 9| which is resiliently urged forwards by a spring 92. The bolt 91 is adapted to engage one or another recesses 83 formed in the rod 90. The bolt M is provided by a head 88 by which it may be conveniently gripped and moved.

The pulleys i9 and 88 are of different diameters. Several belts 98 connect the pulley l8 with certain of the grooves 78 of the fly wheel 75. Belts 85 connect the pulley Bil with other ones of the grooves 78 of the fly wheel lb. The arrangement is such that the fly wheel 75 may be driven at two distinct speeds, merely by throwe ing the clutch device. The fly wheel l5 has a central hub portion 96 formed with the groove 81 which is engaged by a belt 98 extending over several guide pulleys 89 which are rotatively supported on the bracket I08 mounted on the support 85.

The belt 98 continues past these pulleys 89 and engages over a pulley NH mounted on the shaft I82 which is rotatively supported in the bracket I03 mounted upon the bottom of the support 85. The shaft N32 is provided with a pair of adjacent pulleys HM and H25. A belt H36 connects one of these pulleys with a section of the pul ley 2|. The pulley 2| has a large section Ell and a small section 2|. The arrangement is such that the belt I06 may be engaged on one or the other of these sections and may be correspondingly engaged on one or the other of the pulleys IM or H05 so that the screw 28 may be driven at two speeds.

The operation of the device is as follows:

The motor Ti indirectly drives the flywheel l5 which in turn derives the socket shaft 8i indirectly driving the turntable l8. Simultaneously rotations from the flywheel are transmitted by the belt 98 to the pulley IM and then indirectly to drive the screw 20. Asthe screw 28 rotates, the arm I5 will be caused to move along'the rods H and 18 as previously described. In this I way the record may be suitably cut. I

While I have illustratedand described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limitmyself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is "reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I 1. In a tracking mechanism cutter for portable or studio recording, a horizontal arm adapted to be moved across a turn table for a record, a bracket vertically adjustably mounted on the outer end of said arm, means for adjusting said bracket into various vertical positions, a cutting head support pivotally mounted on said bracket, resilient means acting between said bracket and cutting head support for supporting said support, and means cooperative between said support and bracket for holding the support in a raised inoperative position.

2. In a tracking mechanism cutter for portable or studio recording, a horizontal arm adapted to be moved across a turn table for a record, a bracket vertically adjustably mounted on the outer end of said ann, means for adjusting said bracket into various vertical positions, a cutting head support pivotally mounted on said bracket, resilient means acting between said bracket and cutting head support for supporting said support,

and means cooperative between said support and bracketfor holding the support in a raised inoperative position, said bracket having a pair of.

side post portions engaging complementary grooves inthe sides of said horizontal arm to facilitate the relative vertical motion of said bracket.

3. In a tracking mechanism cutter for portable or studio recording, horizontal arm adapted to be moved across a turn table for a record, a bracket vertically adjustably mountedon the outer end of said arm, means for adjusting said bracket into various vertical positions, a cutting head support pivotally mounted on said bracket, resilient means acting between said. bracket and cutting head support for supporting said support, and means cooperative between said support and bracket for holding the support in a raised inoperative position, said bracket having a pair of side post portions engaging complementary grooves in thesides of said horizontal arm to facilitate the relative vertical motion of said bracket, and saidbracket having a head part mounted across the top portions of said post, said head part having a projecting lug forming a support for said resilient means.

4. In a tracking mechanism cutter for portable or studio recording, a horizontal arm adapted to be moved across a turntable for a record, a

bracket vertically adjustably mounted on the outer end of said arm, means for adjusting said bracket into various vertical positions, a cutting head support pivotally mounted on said bracket, resilient means acting between said bracket and cutting head support for supporting said support, and mean cooperative between said support and bracket for-holding the support in a raised inoperative position, said bracket having a pair of side post portions engaging complementary grooves in the sides of said horizontal arm to facilitate the relative vertical motion of said bracket, and said bracket having a head part mounted across the top portions of said post, said head part having a projecting lug forming a support for said resilient means, .said resilient claim as new, and desire to secure by United 7 States Letters Patent is:

means comprising a spring connected withsaid lug and connected with said cutting head support.

5. In a tracking mechanism cutter for portable or studioreoording, a horizontal arm adapted to be moved across a turn table for a record, a

resilient means acting between said bracket and cutting head support for supporting said support, and means cooperative between said support and bracket for holding the support in a raised inoperative position, said bracket having a pair of side post portions engaging complementary grooves in the sides of said horizontal arm to facilitate the relative vertical motion of said bracket, and said bracket having a head part mounted across the top portions of said post, said head part having a projecting lug forming a support for said resilient means, said means for adjusting said bracket includes a threaded stem rotatively mounted on saidhead part and threadedly engaging a boss projecting from said horizontal arm. a

6. In a tracking mechanism cutter for portable or studio recording, a horizontal arm adapted to be moved across a turn table for a record, a bracket vertically adjustably mounted on the outer end of said arm, means for adjusting said bracket into various vertical positions, a cutting head support pivotally mounted on said bracket, resilient means acting between said bracket and cutting head support for supporting said support, and means cooperative between said support and bracket for holding the support in a raised inoperative position, comprising a slide mounted upon said cutting head support and adapted to be manually moved, and a keeper mounted on said slide, and astationary headed element adapted to be engaged by said keeper when said cutting head is left.

7. In a tracking mechanism cutter for portable or studio recording, a horizontal arm adapted to be-moved across a turn table for a record, a bracket vertically adjustably mounted on the outer end of said arm, means for adjusting said bracket into various vertical positions, a cutting head support pivotally mounted on said bracket, resilient means acting between said bracket and cutting head support for supporting said support, and means cooperative between said support and bracket for holding the support me raised inoperative position, comprising a slide mounted upon said cutting head support and adapted to be manually moved, and a keeper mounted on said slide, and a stationary headed element adapted to be engaged bysaid keeper when said cutting head is left, said slide being provided with lugs at the sides thereof having heads by which the slide may be conveniently moved.

8. In a tracking mechanism cutter for portable or studio recording, a horizontal arm adapted to be moved across a turn table for a record, a

outer end of said arm, means for adjusting said bracket into various. vertical positions, a cutting head support pivotally mounted on said bracket, resilient means acting between said bracket and cutting head support for supporting said support, and means cooperative between said supportand bracket for holding the support in a raised inoperative position, comprising a slide mounted .upon said cutting head support and adapted to be manually-moved, and a keeper mounted on said slide, and a stationary headed element adapted to be engaged by said keeper when said ed to be moved across a turn table for a record, a bracket vertically adjustably mounted on the outer end of said arm, means for adjusting said bracket into various vertical positions, a cutting head support pivotally mounted on said bracket, resilient means acting between said bracket and cutting head support for supporting said support, and means cooperative between said support and bracket for holding the support in a raised inoperative position, comprising a slide mounted upon said cutting head support and adapted to he -manually moved, and a keeper mounted on said slide, and a stationary headed element adapted to be engaged by said keeper when said cutting head is left, said slide being provided with lugs at the sides thereof having heads by which the slide may be conveniently moved, said bracket being provided with a stationary tubular portion, and said headed element being mounted thereon.

10. In a tracking mechanism cutter for portable or studio recording, a horizontal arm adapted to be moved across a turn table for a record, a bracket vertically adjustably mounted on the outer end of said arm, means for adjusting said bracket into various vertical positions, a cutting head support pivotally mounted on said bracket, resilient means acting between said bracket and cutting head support for supporting said support, and means cooperative between said support and bracket for holding the support in a raised inoperative position, comprising a slide mounted upon said cutting head support and adapted to be manually moved, and a keeper mounted on said slide, and a stationary headed element adapted to be engaged by said keeper when said cutting head is left, said slide being provided with lugs at the sides thereof having heads by which the slide may be conveniently moved, said bracket being provided with a stationary tubular portion, and said headed element being mounted thereon, said tubular portion being arranged axially with the outer of said cutting head support.

11. In a tracking mechanism cutter for portable or studio recording, a horizontal arm adapted to be moved across a turn table for a record, a bracket vertically adjustably mounted on the outer end of said arm, means for adjusting said bracket into various vertical positions, a cutting head support pivotally mounted on said bracket, resilient means acting between said bracket and cutting head support for supporting said support, and means cooperative between said support and bracket for holding-the support in a raised inoperative position, comprising a slide mounted upon said cutting head support and adapted to be manually moved, and a keeper mounted on said slide, and a stationay headed element adapted to be engaged by said keeper when said cutting head is left, said slide being provided with lugs at the sides thereof having heads by which the slide may be conveniently moved, said bracket being provided with a stationary tubular portion, and said headed element being mounted thereon, said tubular portion being arranged axially with the'outer of said cutting head support, said cutting head support being provided with a pair of projecting lugs straddling a complementary pair of projecting lugs projecting from said bracket, and a pintle engaged through said lugs.

12. In a tracking mechanism cutter for portable or studio recording, a horizontal arm adapted to be moved across a turn table for a record,

provided withv lugs at the sides thereof havinga bracket vertically adjustably mounted on the outer end oi said arm, means for adjusting said bracket into various vertical positions, a cutting head support pivotally mounted on said bracket,

, resilient means acting between said bracket and heads by which the slide may be conveniently moved, said bracket being provided with a stationary tubuiar'portion, and said headed element,

being mounted thereon, said tubular portion being arranged axially with the outer of said cutting head support, said cutting head support bein provided with a pair of projecting lugs straddling a complementary pair of projecting lugs projecting from said bracket, and a pintle engaged through said lugs, and said tubular portion being mounted between the lugs of said a bracket. g

. r JOSEPH s'raszmwmcz. 

